Closure for exhaust pipes



. l n Je muslim: c' l i June l0', 1947. cx'l-LHARMON ETAL 2,421,338

. v CLOSURE FOR EXHAUST PIPES y' I mea nays, 194s 'rff l, *23,221

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atented June l0, 1947 2,421,838 CLOSURE FOR EXHAUST PXPES Application May 9, 1945Seral No. 592,902

' 7 Claims. i

This invention relates to a closure device' for protecting the open end of an upright terminal portion of an exhaust pipe of gasoline and Diesel engines, and the like.

Engines of this general class, when used out of doors, such as in tractors, farm machinery, road machinery, building and excavating apparatus, pumps and stationery power units, in the majority of instances, have a terminal portion of the exhaust pipe disposed in an upright position'.-

(Such an arrangement of the terminal portion of the exhaust pipe has long presented the annoying problem of providing some means for protecting the open end of the exhaust pipe from rain. snow, dust and dirt, when the engine is not operating. When moisture is permitted to collect in the exhaust pipe it frequently causes di'culty in starting, as well as in operation, of the engine, and also it frequently results in rapid rusting and deterioration of the exhaust pipe and other parts of the engine. Protection for the open end of exhaust pipes on engines as above referred to has, in some instances, lbeen provided for in aV make-shift fashion by the use of a tin can, vif one happened toI be available, for replacement over the upper end of the exhaust pipe when the engine is shut down. y

The present invention in its broadest aspect contemplates, as a main object, the provision of a novel closure device for such exhaust pipes, comprising a pivoted closure iiap which normally covers the open end ofl the pipe,and which is adapted to be moved to open position by the pressure of the exhaust gases discharging through the pipe when the engine is started, and remains in such open position by the continued pressure exerted by the exhaust gases While the engine continues to function, and the device being constructed and arranged so that said closure ilap automatically closes to form a protective cover for the open end oi the exhaust pipe when the engine is shut off. y'

Another object is to provide a novel closure device of the character indicated which is relatively simple in construction, positive in operation, economical to manufacture, and which may '(ci. ais-59) *Q as to be fully protected from the elements as well as dust and dirt which might impair the freedom of pivotal movement of said closure nap.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the folowing description, taken in connection with ing drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the closure device embodying the present invention, shown mounted on the upper end of an exhaust pipe;

Figure 2 is a 'vertical section through the device and exhaust pipe, taken substantialy as indicated at line 2 2 on Figure l; and

Figure 3 is a transverse, vertical section through the device, taken substantially as indicated at line 3 3 on Figure 2.

The closure device embodying the present invention comprises a frame l0, in the form of a split ring, adapted to surround the upper end of an exhaust pipe i I, as clearly seen in Figure 2 of the drawing. The split ring includes a pair of laterally projecting, transversely spaced apart ears i2, adapted to be connected together by a bolt I4 and a nut Ma, for drawing the ears I2 together and ilrmly clamping the ring I0 around the exhaust pipe. Extending laterally from. the ring I0, at substantially diametrically opposite relation to the ears I 2, is a lug I5 to which a closure ilap I6 is pivotally connected. Said closure flap in the main is of circular contour and is provided with a marginal depending ange I'l adapted to surround the upper portion of the pipe I I and seat upon the upper end of said ring be quickly and easily applied to or removed from the terminal end of the exhaust pipe.

A further object is to provide a novel closure device of the character indicated comprising a frame adapted to surround the upper end of the exhaust pipe, and a closure flap pivot'ally connected to the frame and normally overlying the open end of the exhaust pipe and wherein the pivot connection' is enclosedin a manner so Ill. As shown in Figure 2 of the drawing, the ring is mounted on the exhaust pipe so that the upper' end of the pipe projects slightly above the upper surface of the ring and abuts against the undersurface of the closure flap I6.v If desired, however, said ring may be mounted on the exhaust pipe so that in the closed position of the flap the marginal flange Il seats upon the upper end of the ring I0, and the flap is otherwise out of contact with the end of the exhaust pipe I I.

Y Theclosure ap includes a rearwardly extending tail portion 20, constituting a counterweight which is recessed as indicated at 2|, for the reception of the lug I5 of the ring. The side Walls of the tail portion, in registration with the recessed portion 2|, are disposed in close proximity i to the upright surfaces of the lug I5, and are pivotally connected to said lug by a pivot pin 23. Said pivot pin extends freely through said lug I5 and its opposite ends are rigidly secured in the side Walls of said tail portion 20, in registration with the recess 2l, by riveting over of the ends of the pin substantially flush with the outer surface of the side walls of the tail portion 20, as clearly indicated at 25 in Figure 1 of the drawing. Thus the pivot connection is fully enclosed and` protected against the elements as Well as against .dust and dirt which might impair the freedom of pivotal movement of the closure flap IB with respect to the ring I0.

The counterweight of the tail portion 20 of the flap is such as to counterbalance a substantial portion of the overhanging weight of the closure flap I6 so that said closure ilap may be moved to an open position, as indicated in dot and dash outline in Figure 2, by the pressure of the exhaust gases discharging through the exhaust pipe H. The overhanging weight of the closure flap, when the pressure of the exhaust gases is discontinued by shutting down the engine, automatically returns said flap to the full line position seen in Figure 2 of the drawing.

It is to be understood that the closure device embodying the present invention may be produced in various sizes for accommodating different diameters of exhaust pipes. While we have herein shown the closure device formed of castings, it may, if desired, be produced in the form of sheet metal stampings. It will also be apparent that in lieu of the counterweight the overhanging weight of the closure flap I6 may be partially counterbalanoed by means of a spring.

While we have herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of our invention, manifestly it is capable of modification and rearrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. We do not, therefore, wish to be understood as limiting this invention to the precise embodiment herein disclosed, except as we may be so limited by the appended claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. In combination, an upwardly extending exhaust pipe constituting a conduit element for the exhaustgases of a gas engine, and a closure device mounted on said conduit element and comprising a frame element surrounding the upper portion of the conduit element, a laterally extending lug connected to said frame element, a closure iiap normally covering the open end of said conduit element and movable to open position by the pressure of exhaust gases discharging through said conduit element, a counterweight connected to said ilap and having a portion extending laterally past the axis of said pivotal connection for counterbalancing a substantial portion of the overhanging weight of the flap, said counterweight having a cavity formed in the underside thereof, said iiap being mounted on the frame element with said lug fitted in said cavity with the side walls of said cavity around said lug, a pin pivotally connecting the side walls of the cavity to Asaid lug, and stop means carried by said counterweight and adapted to abut one of said elements for.limiting opening movement of the closure ap to a position for insuring movement of said closure flap toward closed position upon reduction of pressure of the exhaust gases.

2. In combination, an upwardly extending exhause pipe constituting a conduit element for the exhaust gases of a gas engine, and a closure device mounted on said conduit element and comprising a frame element surrounding the upper portion of the conduit element. a laterally extending lug connected to said frame element, a closure flap normally covering the open end of said conduit element and movable to open position by the pressure of exhaust gases discharging through said conduit element, a laterally extending counterweight connected to said flap for counterbalancing a substantial portion of the overhanging weight of the flap, said counterweight having a cavity formed in the underside thereof, said flap being mounted on said frame element with said lug tted in said cavity with the side walls of said cavity around said lug, and a pin pivotally connecting the side walls of the cavity to said lug, the lower marginal edges of said side walls of the cavity constituting stop means adapted to abut one of said elements for limiting opening movement of the closure flap to a position for insuring movement of said closure flap toward closed position upon reduction of pressure of the exhaust gases.

3. For use with an upwardly extending terminal portion of an exhaust pipe of a gas engine, a closure device adapted to b mounted on the upper end of said pipe and comprising a frame in the form of a split ring adapted to surround the upper end of the pipe, means connecting the end of the pipe, a counterweight connected to said ilap and having a. portion extending laterally past the axis of said pivotal connection for counterbalancing a substantial portion of the Weight of said flap, and stop means carried by the counterweight, saidcounterweight having a cavity formed in the underside thereof, said ap being mounted on the frame with said lug fitted in said cavity with the side walls of said cavity around said lug, a pin pivotally connecting the side walls of the cavity to said lug, and dimensioned and located relatively to said frame so as to abut the latter for limiting the opening movement of the closure flap to a position for insuring movement of said closure flap toward closed position upon reduction of pressure of said exhaust gases.

4. For use with an upwardly extendingl terminal portion of an exhaust pipe of a gas engine, a closure device adapted to bemounted on the upper end of said pipe and comprising a frame in the form of a ring adapted to surround the upper end of said pipe, a laterally extending lug connected to said ring, a closure flap normally covering the open end of the pipe, said flap including a portion extending over and around said lug, a pin pivotally connecting said portion of the closure flap to said lug, a counterweight connected to said portion of the flap for counterbalancing a substantial portion of the overhanging weight of said flap, and a stop feature carried by said extending portion of the flap and dimensioned and located relatively to the frame so as Ito abut the latter for limiting the opening movementof the closure flap to a position for insuring movement of said closure flap toward closed position upon reduction of pressure of said exhaust gases.

5. For use with an upwardly extending terminal portion of an exhaust pipe of a gas engine, a closure device adapted to be mounted on the upper end of said pipe and comprising a frame in the form of a ring adapted to surround the upper end of the pipe, a laterally extending lug connected to said ring, a fiat closure flap normally covering the open end of said pipe, said flap including a counterweight extending from one side thereof, said counterweight having a cavity formed in the under-surface thereof, said flap being mounted on said frame with said lug iitted in said cavity and with the side walls of said cavity around said lug, and a pin pivotally connecting the side walls of said cavity to said lug, said pin being flxedly secured at opposite ends in the sidewalls of said cavity, the lower edges of said side walls of the cavity being located relatively to said frame so as to abut the latter for limiting the opening movement of the closure flap to a position for insuring movement of said closure flap toward closed position upon reduction of pressure of said exhaust gases.

6. For use with an upwardly extending -terminal portion of an exhaust pipe of a gas engine, a closure device adapted to be mounted on the upper end of said pipe and comprising a frame adapted to surround and be fixedly secured on the upper end of the pipe, a iiat closure flap pivotally connected to theframe and normally covering the open end of the pipe, said flap having a peripheral flange on its underside adapted to rest on said frame and to accommodate therewithin the terminal portion of the exhaust pipe when said ap is in closed position, a counter- Weight connected to said iiap and having a portion extending laterally past the axis oi said pivotal connection for counterbalancing a substantial portion of the'weight of saidflap, and stop means carried by said counterweight and dimensioned and located relatively to said frame so as to abut the latter for limiting the opening movement of the closure iiap to a position for insuring movement of said closure ap to a closedl position upon reduction of pressure of said exhaust gases.

7. For use with an upwardly extending terminal portion of an exhaust pipe of a, gas engine, a closure device adapted to be mounted on the upper end of said pipe and comprising a. frame adapted to surround the upper end of the pipe, a laterally extending lug connected -to said frame, a

6 closure flap nor'mally covering the open end of said pipe, and movable to open position by the pressure of exhaust gases discharging through said pipe, a counterweight connected to said iiap and having a portion extending laterally pastthe axis of said pivotal connection for counterbalancing a substantial portion of the overhanging weight thereof, said counterweight having a cavity formed in the underside thereof, said flap being mounted on the frame with said lug fitted in said cavity with the side walls of 'said cavity around said lug, and a pin pivotally connecting the side walls of the cavity to said lug, said counterweightv being dimensioned and located relatively to said frame so as'to abut the latter for limiting the opening movement of the closure ap to a position for insuring movement of the closure flap toward closed position upon reduction of pressure of said exhaust gases.

CLINE HARRY HARMON. DORATI-IEA L. FORT.

REFERENCES CITED y The Afollowing references are of record in the 

